On 8 January, I followed the parliamentary debate on the PN's motion regarding the Zonqor land on which AUM will build the second phase of its project. The leader of the opposition, Adrian Delia, has again manifested his political naiveté when speaking on the motion, by quoting very wrong figures about the project, when he should have known that the prime minister, who was facing him and taking down notes, could easily make mincemeat of him in reply to his speech.
Dr Delia said that the Zonqor land on which AUM will build its second-phase of its project, measured 90,000 sq. metres. In addition, the government had leased that land to AUM for a measly €4 plus a few cents per square metre. Adrian Delia added that while AUM had bound itself to bring over 4,000 foreign students, it has only attracted 15 students.
When Dr Muscat rose to reply to Dr. Delia's speech, the smile on his face immediately showed what was coming. The Prime Minister told Dr Delia that in fact, the land leased to AUM at Zonqor measured 30,000 sq. metres and not 90,000 sq. metres. Secondly, the average cost per square metre is €35 and not €4. He also reminded Dr Delia that the PN government had leased much more land close by to SmartCity at 73 cents per sq. metre. The 4,000 students is the final amount of students to be reached after five years from completion of the project, namely, 2025 and not now, besides the fact that at present there are 30 students and not 15, as mentioned by Adrian Delia.
Now I do not believe that Adrian Delia really did not know that he was quoting wrong figures. I do not think he is that stupid but, more probably, he thought that by mentioning those wrong figures, he could dupe some of those who were following the debate. He should have known that the Prime Minister would certainly prove him wrong. Hence, the only convincing he has managed to do is to keep proving that he is even worse than his predecessor.
Eddy Privitera
Mosta